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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-2016 PBR Minutes CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2016 – 6:00 PM I. CALL MEETING OF THE PARKS, BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION TO ORDER – 6:01 PM II. ROLL CALL Present: Marie Marston, Vice Chair Tom Anderson Kathy Hamilton Laird Hayes Excused: Ron Cole Roy Englebrecht Walt Howald, Chair Staff: Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director Mike Pisani, Municipal Operations Director Dan Sereno, Landscape Manager Teri Craig, Administrative Support Specialist Marie Lindeman, Administrative Support Specialist III. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR Jim Mosher commented on the Parks & Trees Activity report specifically the number of trees removed versus planted. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the April 5, 2016 PB&R Commission meeting. Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. B. Parks, Trees, and Beaches Maintenance Divisions Activities Report Receive/file Activity Report of past and upcoming projects and events. C. Recreation & Senior Services Activity Report Receive/file Activity Report of past and upcoming projects and events. D. Tree Donation Request - Castaways Park Staff recommends that the PB&R Commission approve the tree donation request by Kari Johansen for Christoffer T. Burke, Claire N. Honsaker, and Steven E. Stinson at Castaways Park. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes June 7, 2016 Page 2 E. Tree Donation Request - Castaways Park Staff recommends that the PB&R Commission approve the tree donation request by Stancie Foss for Ashley Foss Greywoode at Castaways Park. Motion by Commissioner Hayes; second by Commissioner Anderson, to approve Consent Calendar items V-A through V-E. Motion carried unanimously with Chair Howald and Commissioners Cole and Englebrecht absent. VI. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Request to Permanently site Sphere 112 Sculpture in Civic Center Park The City Arts Commission requests consideration by the PB&R Commission for the permanent placement of Sphere 112 in Civic Center Park; if approved the recommendation will then be forward to the City Council at a future meeting. Library Director Hetherton reviewed the history of the art within the Civic Center Park. He stated that the Newport Beach Arts Foundation offered to purchase the piece (Sphere 112) and donate it to the City. He noted that the Arts Commission approved the acceptance of the piece for permanent placement located adjacent to Avocado avenue just north of the intersection with San Miguel Drive, pending the approval of the PB&R Commission. Discussion and questions ensued by the Commission regarding the costs associated and the grade of steel used. Vice Chair Marston opened the public discussion Jim Mosher agreed with Commissioner Hayes about liking the sculpture but noted that he had reservations regarding permanent placement of the sculpture when the art in the park is rotating and the fact that there are many parks within the City without any art at all. Robert Smith, Arts Commissioner commented that the Commission had been pleased by the donation from the Arts Foundation and had really reviewed the art and locations and decided that this was the best suited for its location and was really a favorite of the public. He noted that the Commission has a budget and would be responsible for any work that might be needed in the future. He urged the PB&R Commission to recommend approval of the placement of the art. Arlene Greer, Arts Commission Chair also echoed her support of the placement of the sculpture. Vice Chair Marston closed the public discussion Discussion ensued regarding the rotating art and the 45 locations for it. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes June 7, 2016 Page 3 Commissioner Anderson noted that he did not feel comfortable in approving art and really felt like this was more in line with responsibilities of the Arts Commission. Motion by Commissioner Hayes; second by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the request by the City Arts Commission for the permanent placement of Sphere 112 in Civic Center Park and forward the recommendation to the City Council for their review at a future meeting. Motion carried unanimously with Chair Howald and Commissioners Cole and Englebrecht absent. B. Designation of Single Street Tree - 100 Block Pearl Avenue Staff recommends that the PB&R Commission consider the designation of a single street tree species - Magnolia grandiflora "Samuel Sommers," for the 100 block of Pearl Avenue on Balboa Island. Manager Sereno stated that staff had been approached by property owner Joseph Yee on how to go about re-designating a tree for any future replacement trees for the 100 block of Pearl Avenue as the Magnolia Samuel Sommers tree. He noted that Director Pisani directed staff to handle as a reforestation, using the same criteria for approval. The HOA did not want to take it on. Therefore it was suggested that he petition the property owners within the area like a reforestation. He stated that he provided 17 signatures which meets the required minimum of 60%. Manager Sereno stated that staff is satisfied with the number of signatures submitted in favor of this street tree designation request. Discussion ensued regarding the reasoning for this type of request and the length of time before the trees planted would need to be replaced. Manager Sereno noted that it could take anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Vice Chair Marston opened the public discussion Jim Mosher pointed out that during the revision of Council Policy G-6 in December 2014 it was advised by staff that a single designation of tree was not the most healthy way to go on a street as a single species can be exposed to disease or insects and wipe out an entire block of trees. Manager Sereno explained the difference in the two lists. The Street Tree Designation List is a single tree per block or per section as voted on by HOA’s or in other significant areas of the City, usually in business districts. The Parkway Designation List which applies to the majority of residential streets in the City and includes a choice of trees based on parkway width and availability. He also explained that the Magnolia is a fine tree and one already exists on the this street along with a Ficus and many Carrotwoods (both of which are Problem Trees and cannot be planted in parkways). Manager Sereno said it will take 10-30 years for the Carrotwoods to either die or be removed for hardscape damage. Therefore, species diversity will still exist on this street for many years, but could eventually change to a single Magnolia tree species on the block. He noted that though this Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes June 7, 2016 Page 4 is not the optimal species diversity, the neighborhood overwhelmingly approved this designation and the Magnolias will thrive when they are planted in the future. Vice Chair Marston closed the public discussion Commissioner Anderson stated that making a decision like this is not what Commission had approved when revising the G-6 Policy and would agree if there were at least three trees designated for the street instead of everyone having only one selection. Motion by Commissioner Hayes; second by Commissioner Hamilton to approve the designation of a single street tree species - Magnolia grandiflora "Samuel Sommers," for the 100 block of Pearl Avenue on Balboa Island. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Marston, Hayes, Hamilton Noes: Anderson Excused: Cole, Englebrecht, Howald C. Bench & Drinking Fountain Request – Inspiration Point Staff recommends that the PB&R Commission consider the bench and drinking fountain donation request for George McNamee at Inspiration Point. Director Pisani stated that staff had received a donation request from Phil McNamee to donate a bench and drinking fountain at Inspiration Point. He stated that the donation was over $19,000 and would include the 10% maintenance fee. Commissioner Hayes asked if all the drinking fountains in the City include a bottle filler and dog bowl. Manager Sereno stated that as the drinking fountains are replaced that it would be this style and that several parks already have these in place. Vice Chair Marston opened the public discussion Jim Mosher indicated some confusion within the staff report as to whether it is a replacement bench or a completely new one. Vice Chair Marston closed the public discussion Motion by Commissioner Hayes; second by Commissioner Hamilton to approve the bench and drinking fountain donation by Phil McNamee for George McNamee. Motion carried unanimously with Chair Howald and Commissioners Cole and Englebrecht absent. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes June 7, 2016 Page 5 VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Director Detweiler noted that the CdM 5k walk went off without a hitch this past Saturday. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Jim Mosher stated the that Planning Commission was moving forward on a master plan for West Newport and that he had not been able to ascertain the PB&R Commission’s involvement in it and urged the Commission to ask more questions and get involved. IX. ADJOURNMENT 6:51 p.m. in memory of William Garrett, former PB&R Commissioner Submitted by: ________ Teri Craig, Admin Assistant Approved by: _____ Marie Marston, Vice Chair T Craig Marie Marston